Devil Rays, Tigers Ready for Opener

Published 8:00 pm, Sunday, March 31, 2002

While a winning record in April won't guarantee season-long success, it would be a very good start for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and Detroit Tigers.

The teams open the season Tuesday night at Tropicana Field with expectations of being better than a year ago, when they finished with two of the four worst records in the American League.

The Devil Rays became the first AL team since the 1996 Tigers to lose 100 games, but finished on a high note after trimming the payroll and recommitting themselves to building with young players.

Tampa Bay begins 2002 with one of the least experienced rosters in the majors. However, the performance of a low-budget lineup that produced a winning record (24-23) over the last 47 games gives the team hope for continued improvement.

"If we pitch and play defense, we're going to have a chance," No. 2 starter Paul Wilson said.

Left-hander Wilson Alvarez, back in the rotation after missing the last two seasons with shoulder problems, agreed.

"I look around and see all the kids on the field and I feel old," the 32-year-old Alvarez said. "But these guys are hungry to play. They want to go out there and do good. They play hard, and you can just tell this is going to be a winning team soon."

Manager Hal McRae won't be lured into making predictions about how many games Tampa Bay could win. About half the players on the roster have been in the majors for less than one full season, but he is excited about his team's potential.

A strong April would build confidence and help in the clubhouse.

"I'm a morale person," McRae said. "Morale is very important. Without morale we're nothing, we're dead in the water. As long as we think things are going to improve, we've got a shot. The psychological effect it has on players when you think things are going to get better is key for me, more so than any aspect of the game."

Detroit manager Phil Garner also has a good feeling about his team, which lost 96 games in 2001.

The Tigers made several changes during the offseason, including the acquisition of first baseman Dmitri Young. With Dean Palmer starting the season on the 15-day disabled list, another newcomer _ Craig Paquette _ will fill in at third base.

"I like our team. It'll be a fun team for fans to watch," Garner said, adding that he thinks the Tigers will pitch and hit better than a year ago. "We're capable of doing some crazy things, but we're also capable of doing good things."

Right-hander Jeff Weaver (13-16, 4.08 ERA in 2001) will get the opening night start for Detroit. Tampa Bay will counter with right-hander Tanyon Sturtze (11-12, 4.42), who began last season in the Devil Rays' bullpen.

Wilson will pitch the second game of the three-game series for Tampa Bay, followed by Ryan Rupe. Steve Sparks and Jose Lima are Detroit's scheduled starters for Wednesday and Thursday.